Cheirodendron trigynum, also known as ʻŌlapa or common cheirodendron, is a species of flowering plant in the ginseng family, Araliaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of 12–15 m (39–49 ft) and a trunk diameter of 0.6 m (2.0 ft). [1] .

‘olapa. Cheirodendron trigynum. Moving in the gentlest breeze, the leaves of the lapalapa, and its long-fingered relative the ‘olapa, dance in the sunlight when the clouds part over Ka‘ala. Perhaps this graceful movement is why ‘olapa is also the Hawaiian word for hula dancer.

1. To be moved, as the stomach; to rumble, as the bowels; applied to the stomach or bowels; e olapa, e nahu. 2. To flash, as lightning; olapa ka uwila. Laieik. p. 63. 3. To move, as a muscle or bone.

Hawaiian Name: Olapa. Appearance. 5 leaflets on this one; Not as round as Lapalapa; Occurs high up at about 1,000 ft. to 7,000 ft. Doesn't dance in the wind like Lapalapa

2025年3月1日 · Just watching the beautiful 'olapa leaflets dance in the wind is relaxing to the body and soul, and styles of hula have been modeled after these graceful dancing forest trees.

ʻŌlapalapa is presumably the onomatopoeia* for the sound made by the leaves as they flutter in the wind. ʻŌlapa also means to flash or flare up, an uneasy rumble such as a queasy stomach. Another meaning is a dancer accompanied by chanting or drumming. The name ʻōlapa is another name for the fish āholehole. [8]

Olapa, goddess of the moon, is married to Enkai (Ngai), god of the sun in Maasai mythology. The two fought one day, and Olapa, being a short tempered woman, inflicted Enkai with a wound. To hide his shame, he took to shining very brightly, so that no one could look straight at him. In revenge, Enkai hit Olapa back and struck out one of her eyes.

'Olapa. Dominant trees of the Hawaiian wet forest of 4,000 to 6,000 feet elevations, the 'olapa and lapalapa are easily recognized by their constant quaking. Trees grow to 40 or 50 feet tall with opposite leaves each palmately divided into three to five leaflets which are oval to oblong in one species and heart-shape in another.

You must use only the pahu style for the pahu hula. For instance; you cannot do ala`apapa for Kaulilua; you cannot use pahu hula for Kawika. I combine ala`apapa with olapa, but there is a difference. Olapa really means the dancer, but has become synonymous with the type of hula.

The haumana (student, pupil or apprentice) starts out as an ‘olapa (dancer) and has to dedicate him- or herself to a particular course of thought and action, which means not only to physical discipline, but also to mental, emotional and spiritual growth.